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C. Bechstein VARIO User Manual

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C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL
2
User Manual for the
VARIO Digital System
Version number of this document: 006
Last updated 17th October 2019
Further information, as well as audio and video examples
are available on our website:
https://www.bechstein-digital.com/
This document is always the latest version,
as well as in other languages also available as PDF file.
© 2019, C. Bechstein Digital GmbH

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  • Page 1 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL User Manual for the VARIO Digital System Version number of this document: 006 Last updated 17th October 2019 Further information, as well as audio and video examples are available on our website: https://www.bechstein-digital.com/ This document is always the latest version, as well as in other languages also available as PDF file.
  • Page 2 Power on: The first contact with your new VARIO The VARIO app for iOS and iPadOS Introduction Installation Basic features Connection to the app and initial setup of the VARIO digital system Calibration of the keys Keys Adjustment Calibration of the pedals Pedal Adjust Select sounds 3.10...
  • Page 3 “silent solutions” stop ... THE BASIC IDEAS BEHIND THE VARIO DIGITAL SYSTEM. For a good understanding of the various other possibilities of your VARIO instrument, it is helpful to take a look at the basic ideas and concepts behind the system:...

  • Page 4: Flexible Connectivity

    In order to be able to use as many different devices as possible today and in the future, We would like to invite you to get to know your VARIO the VARIO digital system supports the USB-C standard.

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    2.1 Power on: The first contact with your new VARIO This section assumes that you have an instrument - upright or grand - including VARIO Digital System that is ready to play. In most cases, your dealer has already ensured that the entire instrument is in perfect condition and you have already been able to enjoy its acoustic facets.
  • Page 6 The fifth press on the button will bring back the first instrument, the overall volume can become very loud sound. With the VARIO App you can store any sound in the during forte play. four memory slots which we call „favorites“.

  • Page 7: Standby Mode

    Bluetooth) can be found in the section Connectivity starting on page 36. STANDBY MODE A longer press on the button switches the VARIO digital system off or puts it into a special type of standby mode: the system is almost completely shut down and only the built-in Bluetooth LE module remains accessible (for MIDI apps).
  • Page 8 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3. THE VARIO APP FOR IOS AND IPADOS 3.1 Introduction Apps are an essential part of the VARIO digital system This part of the manual explains the basic steps and setup and its entire concept. options. We assume that you are already familiar with the Apps are part of the user interface, i.e.
  • Page 9 • ap on „Search“ to find our app using the keywords BECHSTEIN VARIO. This QR code will also take you to the VARIO app: scan it directly with the camera function. • Open the VARIO App product page and tap „Load“.
  • Page 10 3.3 Basic features Blocks and gestures C. BECHSTEIN MIDI CONNECTION The VARIO App for iOS / iPadOS presents its numerous functions in individual blocks. These are arranged in FAVORITES columns on the screen according to their zoom and available space and can be opened or closed individually.
  • Page 11 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.4 Connection to the app and initial setup of the VARIO digital system CONNECTING TO MIDI The VARIO App can generally be used with and without a connected VARIO digital system and also works on In the MIDI CONNECTION block, tap CONNECT MIDI instruments that establish a standard MIDI connection to your mobile device (such as most digital pianos do).

  • Page 12: Vario Settings

    VARIO SETTINGS Tap on “Connect / Disconnect” and select your instrument from the list of Bluetooth devices. Now open the SETTINGS of the VARIO digital system in the lower right block of the app. Black entries are “visible” devices via Bluetooth-MIDI, grey entries refer to earlier, unavailable connections.
  • Page 13 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.5 Calibration of the keys Precise detection of key acceleration enables expressive play and control of dynamics for each note. The VARIO system works with optical sensors, that means contact- free and therefore without any influence on the playing experience.
  • Page 14 3.6 Keys Adjustment In order to convert the key movement into a digitally usable signal, your VARIO digital system takes (among other things) into account the distance that a key must move on a certain partial section. This range can be adjusted for both downward and upward movement.
  • Page 15 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.7 Calibration of the pedals ISensors near the three pedals detect the movement of the (left) Una Corda-, (middle) Sostenuto/ Moderator and (right) Sustain- or Forte-Pedal. The pedal sensors - like the keyboard sensors - are factory calibrated. However, a recalibration from time to time can be useful.
  • Page 16 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.8 Pedal Adjust With this option you can determine the switching point of the pedal, i.e. you determine the position of the mechanical pedal at which the digitally generated output reacts. The two graphics are interdependent: the value Pedal Up Trigger (bottom) cannot be higher than the trigger point above, just like in the acoustic model.
  • Page 17 Grand Piano 1 + Strings (Layer) classic. Grand Piano 1 + E-Piano Main (Layer) You do not yet own a VARIO digital system and have only Grand Piano 1 + E-Piano FM (Layer) downloaded the free VARIO App so far?
  • Page 18 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.10 Make your playing visible - the monitor The MONITOR block of the VARIO App can be useful for the further adjustment of the dynamic translation of your BARS BUBBLES piano playing into digital sound generation. The so-called MIDI velocity values of all incoming and outgoing key signals (like notes recorded with the recorder) are displayed as vertical bars.
  • Page 19 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.11 A djusting dynamics and playing feel - Sensitivity You can adjust the dynamic characteristics of your VARIO digital system in the SENSITIVITY block. Its possibilities MIDI are perhaps most reminiscent of the intonation of an acoustic instrument - so you may be surprised by the tonal potential that lies behind the inconspicuous line of this control element.
  • Page 20 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL Tip for users of DAWs, MIDI sequencers & Co: in extreme settings you can fix the dynamics to a certain value - or MIDI you can reverse the translation in such a way that gentle playing executes a forte sound (high velocity) and a powerful forte performs a pianissimo (low velocity).

  • Page 21: Setting The Tempo

    C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.12 The Metronome SETTING THE TEMPO The metronome’s handling is based mainly on the adagio mechanical original: move the crown up and down on the moderato pendulum to adjust the tempo. Nudge it with your finger allegro to start it - or use the corresponding button.
  • Page 22 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.13 Time signature and metronome sounds The TAKT block below the metronome lets you set a desired number of beats per bar, as well as their accents. Tap on the numbers to set the desired number of beats. allegro Tap within the vertical bars for the desired accentuation of each beat.

  • Page 23: Recording And Playback

    C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.14 Recording music - the recorder The VARIO App recorder is designed to record your music as easily and free from distractions as possible. The playback also follows this principle. In addition, the recorder offers a number of functions to support you in practicing, recording musical notices and ideas in the best possible way.
  • Page 24 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL TWO TRACKS You can also use the recorder to record in two tracks, for example, separately for Left and Right Hand. To select one of the two available tracks, use the number buttons 1 and 2 above the record button.
  • Page 25 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL SHARE MUSIC SONG 33 Share your recorded music directly with other people or with apps installed on your iOS/iPadOS device. The SHARE button opens the system dialog with all the options provided by Apple: MIDI...
  • Page 26 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.15 Volume and Effects In the MIXER block, you control the volume of the sound selected in the app and the effects applied to it. The VOLUME METRONOME metronome can be adjusted independently of the playable sound.
  • Page 27 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 3.16 Equalizer The graphic equalizer allows an in-depth adjustment of the tonal foundation of your VARIO digital system. It + 24 works fully parametric, which means that in addition to the frequency of its four bands and their reduction / amplification, you can also adjust their slope.
  • Page 28 24 semitones up or down. A double tap on the value immediately resets the setting. The transpose function is also available (identically) in the settings menu of the VARIO App. There you can also fine- tune the entire sound output in cent steps.
  • Page 29 VARIO digital system and are therefore also available without being connected to the VARIO App. Press the button on the front module of your VARIO digital system several times to switch between the favourites (see also section Getting started, page 6). The colour of the LED corresponds to the colours of the App button.
  • Page 30 App. It does not matter whether the connection is via Bluetooth or USB. If the VARIO App also contains new software for the hardware components of the VARIO digital system (after an update via the Apple App Store), you can import this into the system in the Firmware section.
  • Page 31 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 4. VARIO HEADPHONES DESIGNED FOR THE VARIO The headphones of the VARIO system were created for the entire system. We have attached great importance to a high fidelity of sound, especially when used for piano sound, as well as a high wearing comfort. The headphones should be particularly comfortable for both adults and children.
  • Page 32 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL Technical specifications Transducer design Dynamic, open, ear-enclosing Driver 50 mm ø, Neodymium driver Audio transmission range 20 Hz-20 kHz Sensitivity 95 dB (1 mW) Input impedance 32 Ω ~ 3,5 N Pressure force Connections 3.5 mm socket on the headset 3.5 mm stereo jack gold-plated on cable...
  • Page 33 CABLES AND JACK ADAPTERS The length of the cable has been designed so that you can use the headphones not only at the outputs of the VARIO, but also on a tablet positioned on the piano. The adapter from 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm stereo jack is also provided for this purpose.
  • Page 34 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 5. DISPLAY STAND FOR THE PIANO MUSIC STAND The two display stands supplied with the VARIO digital system enable a tablet (or smartphone) to be held in place on the piano’s music stand (C. Bechstein family, W. Hoffmann, Zimmermann). The rubberized material is non- slip and can easily be hooked in between the music stand and the keyboard lid (see illustration).

  • Page 35: Connectivity Options

    C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL 6. CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS ❶ Lightning + Camera Connection Kit: MIDI iPad mini (5th. gen.), iPad Air (3th. gen.), iPad (5th. gen. 2017), iPhone (iPhone 6S, 2015 and later), iPod touch (7th. gen.) ❷ USB-C Lightning: charging & MIDI via Bluetooth...

  • Page 36: Important Notes

    • Do not turn on the system if: - Liquids or other objects have got into the front During the development of the C. Bechstein VARIO, we modules or the instrument. consistently took care to avoid risks during operation. - the power supply unit is damaged.

  • Page 37: Technical Data

    Share via email, messages, cloud services, etc.; MIDI & Audio Metronome Flexible setting options, freely selectable clock types, multiple sounds Software update VARIO App via App Store Firmware update via App Sound generation Sampling Source of the main sound C. Bechstein Concert D 282...
  • Page 38 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL Key noises Yes, adjustable Release samples Yes, adjustable Sympathetic String Resonance Yes, adjustable Sympathetic Damper Resonance Yes, adjustable Una Corda Sostenuto Forte pedal half position Tuning / Tuning +/- 100 Cent Transpose +/- 24 semitones...
  • Page 39 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL Power supply unit / power supply Input voltage power supply unit 110-240 V Power consumption 6.3 W in normal operation (plus connected devices if required, see below) Optional power supply for connected 5 V / 0.9 A, 9 V / 1 A, 15 V / 1 A, 20 V / 2.5 A...
  • Page 40 C. BECHSTEIN VARIO · MANUAL...

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